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Once a Thief
縱橫四海
1991 109 min Hong Kong R 16+
★6.5
Action, Comedy, Thriller, Crime
Director: John Woo
Trailers
Description
Three orphans grow up to become art thieves under the tutelage of a crime boss. Romance complicates matters when the trio are double-crossed.
Worldwide:
$4.3M
Starring
Leslie Cheung
Actor
Chow Yun-Fat
Actor
Cherie Chung
Actor
Awards
6 nominations
Key opinion
Once a Thief is widely viewed as a stylish, iconic genre piece that showcases a stellar performance by Chow Yun-fat. While critics celebrate its visual flair and energy, many find the film’s erratic shifts between goofy comedy and serious action to be its primary weakness.
| Acting | Chow Yun-fat delivers a top-tier, charismatic performance that anchors the film. | |
| Cinematography | The film utilizes striking visual techniques, including inventive heist sequences and lyrical imagery, to create a distinct aesthetic. | |
| Direction | The action set-pieces, including iconic shootouts and car chases, remain engaging and quintessential of John Woo's style. | |
| Humor | The film's tone is divisive; some appreciate the lighthearted, subtle humor, while others find the comedic elements shallow or tonally jarring. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative structure is disjointed, with opinions divided on whether the shifts between comedy and drama create a fun energy or a lack of narrative cohesion. |